Council 'actively receiving postal votes' amid 'backlog' fears

Watford Borough Council has issued a statement reassuring voters after postal vote concerns.

This morning (July 2) health minister Maria Caulfield said that Kevin Hollinrake, the postal affairs minister, was “in direct contact” with Royal Mail over a failure to get ballot packs to people in some constituencies in time for polling day on Thursday (July 4).

Royal Mail has reportedly denied this, stating that there is “no backlog” ahead of the election, but the news has caused concern among postal voters worried their ballots may be lost.

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In a post to social media this afternoon, a Watford Borough Council spokesperson said: “We want to reassure all residents that we are actively receiving postal votes and there is no indication of any issues in the amount received.

“If you have yet to post your vote and are concerned about it arriving on time, you can drop it off with an approved council officer at the town hall.

Kevin Hollinrake had criticised Royal Mail over an apparent delay to postal votes being delivered.

“You must complete a declaration form when dropping off your postal vote. Postal votes without a completed form will not be accepted.”

Anyone who needs assistance or has concerns can contact the council’s elections team via email at elections@watford.gov.uk or by calling 01923 278369.